Douceur is best for light to medium skin tones, as it seems like it will disappear on darker complexions. It might work as a subtle highlight or all-over powder on some deeper skin tones. I’m a huge fan of this type of blush, because it gives natural color and contour to the cheek in a subtle way. I often reach for Korres Natural for this purpose, and Douceur can be used in the same fashion. Finding a blush color like this that works for your skin tone can be challenging, because like a my-lips-but-better color, one size doesn’t fit all (or even most).

This is certainly a softer color. It’s one of the sheerer NARS blushes I’ve swatched so far. The color isn’t easily buildable; there’s no need to be careful with this one–you don’t need a light-hand at all. It is very easy to use because of that, making it one of the more foolproof blushes. On lighter complexions, this could be used as a contouring color. The texture is soft and blendable on the skin, but I did feel like I had to pile it on a bit to get it to show up on my skin tone. The color payoff is on the sheerer side. Douceur wore six and a half hours on me when I was trialing it, and it was noticeably faded after seven hours.

P.S. — I did write review Douceur previously (two years ago–wow, I swear this came out “recently!” Time really does fly!

The Glossover

It's on the shorter side of wear (six and a half hours), which is a bummer in my book. The color is more appropriate for light to medium complexions rather than the entire spectrum, as it is light in color but also a little sheer.

Where to Buy

Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.

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NARS Dolce Vita Blush

NARS Dolce Vita Blush ($28.00 for 0.16 oz.) is described as a “matte dusty rose.” It’s a dark berry rose-red. It’s red, but it’s not red-red; it’s pink, but it’s not your average pink–there’s a muted quality, but there’s still depth. MAC Supernova is pinker, less red. MAC Mocha is a bit lighter, but it’s similar, especially when worn. NARS G-Spot is more orange/warm. I kind of feel like Dolce Vita is a very underrated NARS blush; it’s one of my favorites, because it’s low-key but dramatic. It’s everyday with a twist. It can be a barely-there rosy blush with a flick of the brush or kind of a plummy-berry-rosy-red shade when built up.

The color payoff is rich and you can true-to-pan color with little product, but it doesn’t feel like you have to be as careful as you have to be with some other blushers. It’s a bit more foolproof. Dolce Vita has a supremely flattering finish, because it has a subtle sheen that’s not shimmery or frosty, but it doesn’t give a flat look because it’s too dusty or matte. If you love your skin-but-better, this is that type of finish. I think the color is suitable across skin tones and under tones, and the only comment I’d make about wearability is that those with a lot of natural redness in cheeks might find this accentuates it.

It has a soft, finely-milled texture that applies smoothly against the skin, and it is beautifully blendable with a fluffy or stippling blush brush. I didn’t have any stiffness or difficulty diffusing and blending out the color once I applied the initial payoff. When I tested out Dolce Vita for wear, it managed eight hours well with some minor fading along the edges after eight and a half hours.

The Glossover

If you love your skin-but-better, this is that type of finish. I think the color is suitable across skin tones and under tones, and the only comment I'd make about wearability is that those with a lot of natural redness in cheeks might find this accentuates it.

Where to Buy

Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.

Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!

This is an intensely pigmented product–you will have no problems getting this to show up your complexion. If you’re light to medium, you may have a wee bit figuring how little you actually need for a moderate blusher. This is one of the reasons NARS’ blushes are so famous (their pigmentation), so this is one of those shades to use a lighter touch with. I recommend using a stippling brush or barely tapping a blush brush onto the pan and then tapping the brush against your wrist to shake loose some excess. I then recommend lightly tapping along the area you want the color concentrated on, and then blend out as desired. If you really go overboard, pat a little foundation (liquid or powder) over to help diffuse.

Desire was more blendable than Amour, but it is a little drier than some of the more shimmery shades (which is common in a matte or more matte finish). It was soft, finely-milled, and not powdery. When I trialed Desire on the cheeks, it wore well for seven and a half hours and was slightly faded after eight or so. I didn’t experience any separation, though, which I think is much worse than just fading–you might be the only one who really knows the blush has faded (rather than you were going for a subtle look), while you can really see separation, which looks just gross.

The Glossover

If you have trouble finding blushes that show up on your skin tone, this one definitely will. If you love bolder cheek color, Desire is right up your alley. It wears pretty well, packs plenty of pigment, and blends fairly easily.

Where to Buy

Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.

Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!

NARS Deep Throat Blush

NARS Deep Throat Blush ($28.00 for 0.16 oz.) is described as a “flirty, sheer peach.” It’s a warm coral with a hint of pink and a golden shimmer-sheen. NARS Amour is darker, more vibrant, and has no shimmer. MAC Fleet Fast is slightly darker, more orange. Tarte Glisten is very comparable, though it has a stronger gold shimmer. NARS Orgasm is a touch lighter and more shimmery. theBalm Frat Boy is like a matte version–the colors are very, very similar.

Deep Throat is often the recommended alternative to those who didn’t like Orgasm. It’s not as shimmery, and I think the shimmer is a little more subdued in a way in Deep Throat–more of a sheen than a full-on shimmer. It’s warm without being too orange or red, so it won’t make cheeks look burnt. It’s an excellent color for everyday wear, because it has buildable color–it can be soft, barely there and used more as a soft warm glow or intensified for a pop of coral on the cheek. The texture is soft and smooth, and as described, it’s one of the “less” pigmented blushes NARS makes–but you can get to pan color if desired. It’s just not like Exhibit A where you have to use a feathery touch when applying. Deep Throat wore well for seven hours, and I noticed some fading along the top of my cheeks after seven and a half hours.

The Glossover

Deep Throat is often the recommended alternative to those who didn't like Orgasm. It's not as shimmery, and I think the shimmer is a little more subdued in a way in Deep Throat--more of a sheen than a full-on shimmer.

Where to Buy

Sometimes products are discontinued or limited edition, which means that a product may no longer be available at one or more retailers so you may need to shop around for those hard-to-find shades! We try to update products as they become discontinued, and if you discover a product has been discontinued, please help us help others by letting us know.

Disclosure: Temptalia uses affiliate links, which give us a small commission when you make a purchase (given to us by the retailer, at no cost to you). Your purchases help to support the site!

NARS Fall 2012 Collection

Designed by founder and Creative Director François Nars, the Fall 2012 Color Collection features a blend of bold, modern shades and celestial shimmers. For the campaign, Nars chose to photograph iconic ‘90s supermodel Kristen McMenamy. Having worked with Kristen in the past and for his first book, “X-Ray,” he felt that her beautiful, often otherworldly look completely epitomized the fall collection.

To achieve the makeup look featured in the campaign image, Kristen’s skin was perfected with Siberia Sheer Matte Foundation and set with Snow Loose Powder to create an immaculate complexion. Next, the Undress Me Multiple was applied to the hollows of the cheeks and blended toward the temples with fingertips.

Kristen’s top and bottom lashes were thickly lined in Black Moon Eyeliner Pencil. Next, the entire lid was colored in with the pencil in a half moon shape, from the lash line to the base of the brow bone and out towards the temple. The pencil color was then blended with a fingertip to create a smooth base. Next, the iridescent amethyst shade of High Society Trio Eyeshadow was applied to the lid and the color extended to the brow bone and towards the outer corner of the brow. The edge of this shade was blended into the lavender shade of High Society Trio Eyeshadow, then both sides of Vent Glacé Duo Eyeshadow were combined and applied to the lower lash line atop Black Moon. The eyes were lined with Via Veneto Larger Than Life® Long-Wear Eyeliner and finished with two coats of Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara.

Kristen’s lips were lined and filled in with cinnamon Papua Lip Liner Pencil, blended for a softer effect, and topped with Belize Lip Gloss. Storm Bird Nail Polish on nails completed the look.